JESSICA CASSAR

Name: Jessica Cassar
Age: 24
Country: Australia
Website: www.jessica-cassar.com

At which age did you start creating art? And why do you feel compelled to create?
I have always expressed myself ‘artistically’ throughout my life, ever since I was young. However, it is only the last few years I have found photography as a perfect artistic outlet. I guess I cannot describe why I feel compelled to create, I think those who are creators, are creators intrinsically. For me, and I assume most, it’s a desire, but an ambiguous one.

What are you inspired by? And who do you look up to?
I am inspired by theatre, light, film, story, music, painting and the journey and psyche of ‘the individual’. I look up to most people—I am 5”2.

Which influential artist would you like to ask for advice?
Ron Mueck. He’s not a photographer, but I just want to know how the hell he makes his sculptures. They are amazing.

If you had to put up one piece of artwork on your wall and stare at it for a year, who would it be by and why?
Paul Delaroche’s La Jeune Martyr (The Young Martyr) 1855. I was walking in the Louvre seven years ago, and this painting struck me. I stood there, in a trance, staring at it. I love its beauty, its simplicity, its mood and its deliberate use of dark and light. And-- it’s a painting! I envy those who can paint and draw. It is something that acts as a reminder to the kind of photography I want to make--so--I do have it on my wall and have for the past seven years. Its small, but it’s there!

Tell us about your creative process.
My photographs are usually staged, so before I can take a photo there is the ‘constructive’ element, may it be getting a scene ready with props or explaining to my subject (if there is one) what ‘character’ they need to be. My photographs are usually fairly dark, with a lot of negative space, so I usually spend time adjusting light. I don’t use studio lights, just an old, worn out spotlight. It’s pretty much an electrical nightmare, and looks like its about to fall apart (I’ve got gaffa tape holding it all together), but I love it, and don’t want to part with it.

Do you ever find weird connections between life and art?
I think the two are inextricable. Well, for me anyway.

As an artist, are you Technical or passionate?
Despite my photos being mostly staged and constructed, I am extremely passionate about what I do. I do make precise decisions, some wrong, some right, but it all stems from a deep passion! I don’t think the two should be considered separate.

How do you determine when a work is finished? Or is it ever finished?
Most of the time a photo is finished when I feel it looks good and I am willing to show other people. The one thing I hate doing at my art school is presenting half finished works all in the name of ‘process’ I never feel good doing that, I don’t want people to see my work incomplete. Although, time is massive influence—I may look at a photo a year later and think, that is not finished at all.

Do you think there are boundaries you would never cross in your art making?
I guess I would hope I would never hurt anyone for my own artistic gratification.

What frightens you most about your art?
Sometimes I think my photos expose too much of myself, and that’s frightening. But really, I think what frightens me most about my art is not being able to create my art.

Do you have any magic cures for creative blocks?
Equal the size of your creative block, with a chocolate block. Eat. Eat some more.

Do you dream about your artwork?
No, I don’t think I’ve ever dreamt about my artwork. But sometimes ideas come to me in dreams, and most of the time, right before I’m about to drift into sleep. People always say to leave a notebook and pen next to your pillow, but I’ve never tried it! Maybe I should.

Which of your own works are you most proud of/ is most meaningful to you and why?
Recently, I have done a series called 29.08.84; that is very meaningful to me as it involves my twin sister and I. I am also proud of a series called The Red Dress—it was taken in my first year of college. The Johari Window series I am proud of because I did not think I could get away with what I did, and did manage to, successfully. And lastly, a self-portrait called Window and I. I am proud of these works mainly because they came out as I imagined in my head.

Which art mediums and brands do you prefer to use?
I am quite partial to matt paper. But other than that I use what I can afford mostly. I know that’s limiting, and stifles creativity, but at the moment, that’s all I can do. I use my digital SLR and find that is the best camera to use—it goes very well with the constructive element of my photography.

What kind of art education do you have? Do you think it is important?
I have never done any photography classes, and at school did not do art as a major subject. But now, studying at Sydney College Of The Arts, for me, it is important. I’ve been exposed to the works of important and inspirational artists and at the same time I am seeing other students express themselves. It’s an enjoyable and freeing experience... Its also enjoyable knowing I am not the only one who’s not a school leaver, and that there are other people like me who have found their passion later in life.

What kind of career do you ultimately want? And what kind of career do you think you'll end up having (or already have) realistically?
My dream would be to have my own space. With a stage, theatre lights, a set and costume department and a cage of actors where I could construct and create scenes at my own free will! Of course, this is not realistic and a blatant abuse of human rights, but hey, dreaming is important! Realistically, I am not sure. I live in the dream.

Is your family supportive of your art? Who influenced and nurtured your creativity most?
My family was never dismissive of my creative pursuits, and was always encouraging and supportive in everything I have tried to do. I think my parents get scared of the future in terms of financial security, but they have never used that as a way of stopping me from doing anything. My brothers and twin sister have nurtured my creativity and to this day we are all aspiring, crazy, creative-types together.

Which direction do you see your art heading in the future?
I tend to not look at the future, but hopefully on a wall somewhere (and preferably not mine).

Who are some of your heroes outside of the visual art stream?
Pedro Almadovar…Tim Winton…Charlie Kaufman…Bjork…Radiohead There’s so many to remember.